afternoon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afternoon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time of day between noon and evening, often in greetings or scheduling. Example: "I hope you have a pleasant afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This afternoon, the president graciously accepted my resignation".

The New York Times

He told Channel 4 News: "I've told you the first I became aware of this, and this is already on the public record, was when I received a phone call on Friday afternoon from a journalist making me aware of it".

The Guardian

And everyone knows that the only thing that can even come close to matching a decade-old repeat of Top Gear in terms of witty banter is a dank polling booth set up in an abandoned church hall on a drizzly Thursday afternoon".

The Guardian

Debate resumes on Sunday afternoon in the Senate on the future course of US surveillance authorities.

The Guardian

Bat is now dominating where ball once did, and Sussex have whittled 120 off their 330-run requirement following a wicketless afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

This is just what happened on an ordinary afternoon in the office of a kind and careful counsellor in Kampala, Uganda.

The Guardian

Lotf village is also known for its view of the Persian Gulf, and as we walk the village in the late afternoon, at least a dozen European tourists are waiting on a hill to watch the sunset.

The Guardian

"I'm meeting a German guy this afternoon who wants a couple of walls to work on," says Al. "I think I know some places that might work".

The Guardian - Travel

Within two minutes against Sale, Williams had made a try – chipping the Sale defence, making a break and then off-loading to Ed Slater – and had a perfect afternoon with the boot, landing six from six.

The Guardian - Sport

My take on possibly the easiest mixed drink ever invented (after the gin tonic, of course), the Spanish tinto de verano, a simpler, less alcoholic version of sangria that is easier to make, and less alcoholic, so it's perfect that's perfect for a long afternoon in the garden.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Relegation, you're having a laugh" was Tim Sherwood's response to Aston Villa's predicament last weekend and it was easy to see why the manager feels that way after an afternoon when his team's performance did a much better job of warming the home supporters' hearts than the bitterly cold weather.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "afternoon" with a specific time (e.g., "3 PM this afternoon") for clarity when scheduling events or making plans.

Common error

Avoid using "afternoon" when referring to times closer to sunset or after, as this period is generally considered "evening".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "afternoon" is as a noun, referring to the period of time between noon and evening. It often functions as an adverbial modifier, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "afternoon" is a very common and grammatically correct noun used to denote the period between noon and evening. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and travel-related content. While generally neutral in tone, understanding its nuances, such as distinguishing it from "evening", is crucial for precise communication. For added clarity, using "afternoon" with specific times (e.g., "3 PM this afternoon") enhances scheduling. Alternative phrases, such as "early afternoon" or "late afternoon", can provide further specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Early afternoon

Refers to the beginning of the afternoon period, closer to noon.

Late afternoon

Refers to the end of the afternoon period, closer to evening.

Mid-afternoon

Indicates the central part of the afternoon.

The p.m.

A more formal or technical way to refer to the hours after noon.

The second half of the day

Describes the afternoon as the latter part of the daytime hours.

Post meridian

A Latin-derived term indicating the time after noon.

After lunchtime

Relates the time to the common activity of having lunch.

Following midday

Specifies the time immediately after noon.

In the cool of the day

Emphasizes the temperature change often associated with the afternoon.

Between lunch and dinner

Frames the time within the context of meal times.

FAQs

How to use "afternoon" in a sentence?

You can use "afternoon" to refer to the time between noon and evening, such as in the sentence, "I will see you this afternoon" or "Good afternoon" as a greeting.

What can I say instead of "afternoon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "early afternoon", "late afternoon", or "mid-afternoon" to be more specific.

Which is correct, "in the afternoon" or "on the afternoon"?

"In the afternoon" is the correct prepositional phrase to use when referring to activities or events that occur during this time.

What's the difference between "afternoon" and "evening"?

"Afternoon" refers to the time period between noon and sunset, while "evening" refers to the time period between sunset and night. The exact transition can be subjective based on cultural and personal factors.